Mines Cup returns to support three local causes

THREE local causes are being supported by the Jamie Mines Fundraising Team in their second ‘Mines Cup’, a charity football tournament and family fun day.

In 2017, The Jamie Mines Fundraising Team held the inaugural “Mines Cup” which took place at Frome Town Football club, attracting over 3,000 people through the turnstiles and a social media reach of over 35,000 from across the country. Over £40,000 was raised on the day with a grand total of £147,000 raised to help  Jamie Mines. Jamie,   a scaffolder, footballer and father-of-two, was seriously injured by an electric shock while working in Swindon. He had to have both hands and feet amputated after the accident.

Due to the event’s success, the team is now running the event once again, which will take place on Saturday 11th May from midday.

This time, all monies raised will be equally split and donated to three more local causes who are in need of help; Ben Millard (help pay for a drug to combat the effects of bowel cancer) Archie Stradling (raising money for the charity Cure Leukemia) and Josh Payne Gover (spinal rehabilitation).

Ben Millard was diagnosed with terminal stage four bowel cancer in August last year. Since his diagnosis, he has had an operation to remove the primary tumour and is receiving chemotherapy treatment. 

However, during surgery it was discovered that the cancer had spread to other parts of Ben’s body. This prompted his friends and family to start raising money to pay for the drug Avastin, which is not available on the NHS. Avastin is used to block the blood supply that feeds a tumour, which can stop the tumour from growing and help prolong someone’s life.

Archie is originally from Frome, and his father Richard was bank manager of Lloyd’s for some time before moving to Hilperton. He has played for numerous football clubs in the town, so is well know around Frome. Archie, who is 15, is currently in remission from leukaemia and is raising money for the charity Cure Leukaemia.

Whilst on a trip to the beach with his friends, Josh Payne-Gover, 25, dived into shallow water. As he landed, the impact crushed his neck and back, severely damaging his C7 vertebrae and spinal cord.

Before the accident, Josh was a keen sportsman enjoying football, mountain-biking and skiing. Josh’s family has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for rehabilitation to help Josh regain the movement in his hands and legs, along with future costs including treatment, mobility aids and possibly moving to a new home and adapting it for wheelchair accessibility.

Organiser of this year’s Mines Cup, Billy Wright said, “The event will take shape in the form of a 7-a-side tournament with 17 adult teams, each competing for fame and glory. It will be a family fun day, along with superb onsite catering provided by JC’s Kitchen of Bath.

“From 7pm a race night and sports auction will take place, so the fun and fundraising can be continued throughout the evening. We are hoping to raise in the region of £10,000-£12,000, but we need your support to make this event happen, so please save the date and get involved to make this another successful fundraising campaign.

 “A big thanks to all our sponsors; The Old Bath Arms, Cooper and Tanner, CPM, Kennedy Electrical, The Carpet Factory, Wainwrights, Wills Barber, Gent Street, Searle Decorating, Pearn Tree Services, Rodden Road Cars, LC Ceramics, MNKO, Frome Rugby Club and Frome Town Suppers Club.